Introduction
In the context of international efforts to address discrimination against women and girls, the post-UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meetings in New York provide a critical opportunity for advocacy. As a student studying LGBTQ issues in international affairs, I am working with the LBTI Caucus, a network that includes intersex women, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women, as well as allies, to elevate the concerns of intersex individuals at the CSW. This letter, written on behalf of the LBTI Caucus, requests a meeting with Laura Nyirinkindi, Chair of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, to highlight discrimination and violence faced by intersex women and girls. Drawing from key materials such as the NTV documentary on Kenya and other resources, the letter outlines three major issues for discussion, explains their relevance to the Working Group’s mandate, and suggests best practices for promotion with UN member states. The purpose is to foster greater attention to these matters in high-level dialogues, ultimately advancing gender equality and human rights.
Request for Meeting
On behalf of the LBTI Caucus, we respectfully request a meeting with you to discuss the pressing challenges confronting intersex women and girls globally. Such a dialogue would allow us to share insights from our network and collaborate on strategies to integrate these issues into your engagements with UN member states. The mandate of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls encompasses examining and addressing all forms of discrimination based on sex and gender, including those affecting marginalized groups like intersex individuals. By raising these concerns, you can help ensure that intersex experiences are not overlooked in broader efforts to combat gender-based violence and inequality. We propose a virtual or in-person meeting at your earliest convenience following the CSW sessions, and we are prepared to provide additional documentation or participant testimonies to support our discussion.
Issue One: Non-Consensual Medical Interventions
One of the primary issues we wish to address is the prevalence of non-consensual medical interventions on intersex children, particularly girls, which often lead to lifelong harm. In the NTV documentary on Kenya, intersex individuals describe undergoing surgeries without their consent during infancy, resulting in physical complications, psychological trauma, and social stigma (NTV, 2019). These practices, intended to “normalize” bodies according to binary gender norms, violate bodily autonomy and perpetuate discrimination. Broader materials, such as the Darlington Statement, emphasize that such interventions are unnecessary and harmful, calling for an end to them worldwide (Intersex Human Rights Australia, 2017). This issue directly relates to your Working Group’s mandate, as it involves gender-based discrimination through enforced medical procedures that disproportionately affect intersex girls, undermining their rights to health and self-determination. During our meeting, we would like to explore how these practices can be challenged through international advocacy.
Issue Two: Discrimination and Violence in Daily Life
Another critical concern is the widespread discrimination and violence experienced by intersex women and girls in various social contexts. The NTV video highlights cases in Kenya where intersex persons face family rejection, educational barriers, and community violence, including physical attacks and exclusion from public services (NTV, 2019). These experiences are echoed in global accounts from Outright International’s report, which documents stories of marginalization, employment discrimination, and hate crimes against intersex individuals across regions (Outright International, 2024). Such violence stems from societal misconceptions about intersex variations, leading to isolation and mental health challenges. This aligns with the Working Group’s focus on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, as intersex individuals often encounter intersecting forms of gender-based harm that reinforce inequality. We aim to discuss evidence-based strategies to combat this, drawing on the mandate’s emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups from systemic abuse.
Issue Three: Barriers in Sports and Legal Recognition
A third major issue involves barriers to participation in sports and legal recognition, which exacerbate discrimination against intersex women. The CNN interactive feature on athletes like Annet Negesa illustrates how regulations on testosterone levels in women’s sports discriminate against those with differences of sex development (DSD), forcing invasive testing and exclusions that violate privacy and equality (CNN, 2021). Similarly, the Darlington Statement calls for legal reforms to recognize intersex rights without pathologizing variations (Intersex Human Rights Australia, 2017). In Kenya, as shown in the NTV documentary, lack of legal identity documents hinders access to education and healthcare, compounding vulnerabilities (NTV, 2019). These challenges relate to your mandate by highlighting how discriminatory policies and norms perpetuate gender inequality, particularly for intersex girls in public and athletic spheres. Addressing them would promote inclusive legal frameworks that uphold women’s rights more broadly.
Best Practices for Promotion
To counter these issues, we suggest promoting best practices such as prohibiting non-consensual surgeries on intersex children, as advocated in the Darlington Statement, and ensuring access to supportive healthcare (Intersex Human Rights Australia, 2017). States could adopt self-identification in legal documents, reducing discrimination, and implement education campaigns to combat stigma, as seen in global voices from Outright International (Outright International, 2024). Additionally, reforming sports policies to eliminate unfair testing, per the CNN report, would foster equity (CNN, 2021). These measures align with the Working Group’s goals and could be raised in your state-level meetings.
Conclusion
In summary, this letter requests a meeting to discuss non-consensual interventions, everyday discrimination and violence, and barriers in sports and legal recognition faced by intersex women and girls, all of which fall under the UN Working Group’s mandate on gender discrimination. By drawing attention to these issues, informed by sources like the NTV documentary and others, you can advocate for meaningful change. This collaboration has the potential to enhance protections for intersex individuals, contributing to a more equitable international framework for women’s rights. We look forward to your positive response and the opportunity to work together.
References
- CNN. (2021) Running As Equals. CNN.
- Intersex Human Rights Australia. (2017) Darlington Statement. Intersex Human Rights Australia.
- NTV. (2019) Born In Between: The challenges of intersex persons in Kenya. YouTube.
- Outright International. (2024) “I Am” Intersex: Global Voices for Intersex Justice. Outright International.
